Photo credit to Lucas Noonan/ Bellator MMA
Khasan Magomedsharipov on “More Diverse Arsenal” Than Bellator 291 Foe
Khasan Magomedsharipov clashes with Rafael Hudson at Bellator 291 on February 25th.
Magomedsharipov appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to discuss being adaptable with the opponent switch here, returning to competition exactly one year to the day, and so much more. Excerpts from our chat are below.
Khasan Magomedsharipov
If any amendments had to be made in the training for this one with the opponent switch from Bailey Gilbert
“I wouldn’t say that after watching his (Rafael Hudson) fight and his style, I need to adjust anything dramatically. Don’t think he’s the best fighter out there. I understand where his advantages and disadvantages (are). So little corrections but nothing drastic.”
Magomedsharipov’s thoughts on the overall resume and combative skillset of Rafael Hudson
“I think that Rafael Hudson is a very powerful opponent. He has dynamite in his hands. He has six finishes and the thing is if he catches you, it can be in any round. It doesn’t matter, it can be the first round, the second. So I have to be careful about that like he has very powerful hands.”
“He has good grappling, he has some stuff going on besides punching. But I also think that I’m faster. So I think my main advantage over him would be speed. Again, I have to be careful; make sure not to get anything. So overall I think I’m more versatile and I have more diverse arsenal compared to him.”
Bellator 291
Previously securing a submission win via twister in his career, his ever-improving striking game, and how you can expect virtually anything to happen when Khasan Magomedsharipov is fighting
“Whenever I do any boot camp. Whether it’s Thailand, whether it’s here, when I see people practicing, I also pay attention to something unique. Something not many people use and I try to implement that. Because that’s one of those things that you can pick up with different gyms. Something that your typical opponent would not expect. So I usually look out for those little things like that; something unique.”
What it’s like being at the nucleus of that fervent Irish crowd when you’re an MMA fighter competing in front of those raucous fight fans
“The last time we had a fight in Ireland, I was booed. You know it’s kind of, at the beginning, it’s unpleasant. But then also I kind of learned to dwell on that whenever people are not in my favor. I kind of have something to prove to them and to show them hey, ok give me a second; you will see. I don’t think the judges or the sporting system is any different. But of course, it’s not your homeland and it’s not the same. But yeah, I kind of try to use it as a motivation to myself to boost my performance.”
